Machine drive arrangement



Oct. 19,1937. D. M. PALMER MACHINE DRIVE ARRANGEMENT Filed March 8, 1937 HHWIHHHHHHHH Shun HOD Patented Oct. 1.937 I t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,096,289 MACHINE nmvn ARRANGEMENT Delos M. Palmer, Toledo, Ohio, assignor of onethird to Ralph S. Wenner and one-third to James T. McMahon, both of Toledo, Ohio Application March 8, 1937, Serial No. 129,771 2 Claims. (01. 29031) This invention relates to an arrangement for a pick up the load from the induction machine and driving machines, and is particularly directed to in addition to driving the load will drive the maan apparatus in which an induction type elecchine 3 at a speed corresponding to, or faster trical machine is employed. than, the synchronous speed of the latter, depend- 5 The primary object of the invention is the ing on the governed speed of the engine. 5 provision of a driving arrangement which is eco- If the speed of rotation of the induction manomical to operate, simple to maintain, which is chine corresponds to its synchronous speed, the completely automatic, and which in combination engine now drives the compressor I and the inpossesses certain desirable characteristics not duction machine merely floats on the line, con- 1 found in its component parts. suming only its excitation current. Since the Other objects and advantages of the invention cost of fuel for the internal combustion engine is will become apparent from the following specibut a small fraction of the cost of electric power fication taken in connection with the accomwhich would be consumed by the operation of the panying drawing, which diagrammatically illusinduction machine as a motor, a considerable trates a typical installation. saving in the cost of operating the compressor 15 In the drawing, l designates the mechanical load will be effected. It will further be appreciload of the driving arrangement, in this inated that the internal combustion engine operates stance a compressor of a refrigerating unit, which at a constant load at all times so that the size of is connected by a belt 2 to an induction machine the engine may be chosen to result in maximum 3. The induction machine 3 is adapted to be efilciency of operation. 20 connected to alternating current supply lines 4 If the governed speed of the engine 9 is such and 4 by a suitable magnetically operated switch that it drives the induction machine 3 faster than 5. The induction machine circuit is fused as at 6. synchronous speed, the latter will operate as an The induction machine3 is further connected induction generator. Numerous advantages acby a belt 8 to an internal combustion engine 8, crue from such operation. In the first place, 25 having a fuel supply line H! controlled by a spring power is generated at a voltage and frequency closed, magnetically opened valve II. The fuel determined by the supply lines, so that it is sultemployed is preferably gas, although any desirable for use with any other A. C. machines which able medium may be used. may be connected to the machine, The power In the connections shown, the motor circuit generated by the induction generator will be 30 control switch '5 and the fuel supply valve II are utilized by the remaining current consuming deconnected to a thermally operated circuit maker vices 20 and 2| on the premises, however, before l2 exposed to the space refrigerated by the comany actual reversal of flow into the main supply pressor unit I and preferably having its source lines takes place.

of electrical energy interlocked with the supply In the second place the induction generator 35 lines 4 and 4. Thus, when the thermally reacts as a speed control for the engine 9 since it sponsive element is moved by reason of the tembecomes part of the engine load and its loading perature of the refrigerated space reaching a preeffect increases tremendously with a slight indetermined point, the control circuit is closed and crease in speed. If the generator output should 4') the motor switch 5 and fuel valve II are operby any chance exceed the capacity of the fuses 40 ated. 6, these latter will fail and no current will be When an installation of the above character supplied to the fuel control valve H, so that the is made, for instance, in a store where the cornfuel supplied to the engine will be out off. How pressor is used as a part of an air conditioning ever, if the engine 9 is properly chosen, its speed .5; system, other electric current consuming elements will be controlled and reduced before the ,generasuch as lights 20 and motor 2| are connected to tor output reaches this maximum point.

the supply lines 4 and 4 and constitute an elec- In addition to controlling the maximum speed tric load. of the engine, the induction machine 3 also In operation, when the control circuits are serves to prevent a reduction in speed at which closed as above-described, the induction machine the compressor is driven. It will be seen that 3 operates first as a motor, drawing current from if the engine 9 should fail to operate at a sumsupply lines 4 and 4. Being connected to the inciently high speed or it is unable to carry the duction machine by a belt 8, the internal commechanical load, the induction machine 3 will bustion engine 9 is cranked and will start. As the pick up the load and act as a motor, drawing curengine 9 comes up to its governed speed it will rent from supply lines 4 and 4 and driving the compressor. It will be appreciated that this shift in the source of power for the compressor has been accomplished without need for any control devices whatever.

While the invention has been described in connection with a compressor load, it should be expressly understood that various other machines may be economically'driven by the same arrangement, so that the invention should be construed as properly including all devices which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. A drivin'g arrangement for a system having a mechanical and electrical load including, an induction machine mechanically coupled to the mechanical load and electrically coupled to the electrical load, an alternating current supply line connected to said induction machine and said electrical load, a mechanical prime mover adapted to drive said mechanical load and connected to drive said induction machine above its synchronous speed and thereby operate the same as a generator to absorb said electrical load, and control means for said mechanical prime mover interlocked with said alternating current supply line operable to shut down said prime mover in event of failure of said alternating current supply.

2. A driving arrangement for a system having a mechanical and electrical load including, an induction machine mechanically coupled to the mechanical load and electrically coupled to the electrical load, an alternating current supply line connected to said induction machine and said electrical load, and an internal combustion engine delivering a power output greater than said induction machine and adapted to drive said mechanical load and to drive said induction machine above its synchronous speed and thereby operate the same as a generator to absorb said electrical load.

DELOS M. PALMER. 

